Science, creativity, friendship
The opportunity to see the life of the School from the other side turned out to be no less interesting than once to take part in research yourself. In two weeks, I was once again convinced that “Dialogue” is not just a summer school, but a unique place where science, creativity and friendship become part of one big story. That is why I want to talk about how “Dialogue” lives and why I want to return here again and again.
One of the key features of the two-week session of the “Dialogue” School is a harmonious union of scientific activity and creativity. During this time period, the participants implement research projects in various areas: from humanitarian disciplines to advanced technologies. Each child can choose a topic that is really interesting to him, try himself in the role of a scientist and gain experience of real research activities.
It is the opportunity to immerse yourself in the area of interest that often becomes the first step for participants in the world of science or helps to understand what area really arouses their sincere interest. Over the years of the functioning of the “Dialogue” School, many stories have accumulated when participation in a particular project determined the further professional path of the children: many subsequently chose the appropriate specialty at the University and associated their future careers with it.
This year, seven research projects were implemented within the framework of the summer session. Each of them was dedicated to a separate research area and allowed not only gaining new knowledge, but also putting it into practice. So, for children interested in the humanities, the project "Let them talk" was organized. Its participants studied the basics of oratory, analyzed the speeches of famous statesmen and politicians, mastered the techniques of public speaking and tried themselves as speakers.
No less interesting was the project “AngloBioWaters” that united natural sciences and the English language. The participants created an English-language ecological trail of the recreation centre, learnt about the peculiarities of the local flora and fauna. This interdisciplinary approach was especially interesting for children planning to unite their future with biology, ecology or linguistics. The fans of technical disciplines were offered projects "HydroPower", dedicated to the basics of hydraulics and the principles of hydraulic systems, as well as "Almost Smart Home", in which the participants developed and designed their own devices for automating household processes. Those who are fond of chemistry could join the project "Niche" to learn about the basics of perfumery, to study the properties of aromatic compositions and to create their own perfumes, experimenting with various combinations of fragrances. My project "MediaCentre" was dedicated to modern media communications. Throughout the session, we learnt about how the editorial work works, learned how to create high-quality media content, to write news and articles, to interview, to check information and to work with various sources. The children immediately applied the knowledge gained in practice. In two weeks, they launched the School's Telegram channel, where they talked daily about the most interesting events and the result of the work was issuing an article of the newspaper “Dialog”. At the end of the session, a scientific conference is held at which the results of work in projects are presented. From my point of view, this experience is extremely important for children, as it develops clarity and logic of thinking, experience of public speaking and self-confidence.
In addition to research activities, a rich programme of intellectual and sports events was prepared for the School participants. Such events help children to get to know each other faster, to learn to work in a team and to feel like part of a large team that is why by the end of the session, many admit that they are leaving “Dialogue”, feeling like part of one big family.
One of the most long-awaited events of the School traditionally becomes "Equator". On this day, the participants will face team trials: exciting relay races and crazy-volley. During the relay races, the children perform a variety of tasks, for example, throwing caps filled with water to the maximum distance. The most spectacular part of the event is crazy-volley, an unusual variation of volleyball, where a cap with water is used instead of a ball and you need to take and throw it not with your hands, but with a towel. Such events not only give vivid emotions, but also teach participants mutual assistance, trust and the ability to work in a team.
The communication system within the School deserves special attention. Throughout the session, participants received up-to-date information about events, schedule changes and the most important events through the official Telegram channel. Thanks to it, everyone was always aware of what was happening and the cooperation between the organizers, teachers and participants was fast and convenient. It is this kind of openness and constant dialogue that creates an atmosphere of trust in the School, where everyone's opinion really matters.
For me, this session became special, because for the first time, I saw the "Dialogue" not through the eyes of a participant, but a teacher. It allowed a new look at the life of the School and an understanding of how much work, enthusiasm and sincere desire to make the School session unforgettable is behind every event and every project. This is probably why “Dialogue” leaves such a mark on memory. Here, ideas are born, real friendship is made and two weeks full of research, creativity and communication become memories which you want to mentally return to for a very long time.
In conclusion, on behalf of all the “Dialogue” participants and School Director Sergey Shvidky, I would like to sincerely thank all those who annually help us in organizing the “Dialogue” sessions, especially, JINR Directorate and the Dubna City Administration. We express our special gratitude to the Administration of the base “Gubkinets” that has been welcoming us so warmly for many years now.
Maxim MILLER